Single dose plastic capsule for powdered coffee and the like

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Field of technology

The present invention relates to the field of beverage preparation devices, in particular coffee, and in particular to a molded plastic capsule for the preparation of a single dose of ground coffee or another beverage prepared by a filtration method.

Technical problem

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention consists in the following: how to solve a cast plastic capsule intended for coffee or some other raw powder used for the preparation of beverages by filtration, which ensures complete cleanliness of the mentioned inner tubes, without the risk of fermentation and spoilage of fatty substances contained in the beverage (especially coffee), which could lead to a change in the taste of the drink itself, and which capsule would allow the formation of a creamy texture of coffee, which forms the basis of the Italian style of espresso coffee, and preparation of high quality beverages.

State of the art

As a typical example of the prior art, the applicant cites European patent EP-A-0 521 510 where a solution is considered, with said protective foil and a flat bottom of the capsule where zones of reduced thickness are formed where during the preparation of the beverage the protective foil cracks under pressure water that passes vertically through the powdered raw material.

The obtained filtered beverage passes through inaccessible tubes inside the coffee machine, after which it is poured into a serving bowl.

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The use of conventional capsules - due to their specific design solution - has the disadvantage that, as it is not possible to ensure complete cleanliness of the mentioned inner tubes, there is a risk of fermentation and spoilage of fatty substances contained in the beverage (especially coffee). The most harmless consequence that can result from this is an undesirable change in the taste of the drink itself.

Moreover, it is more difficult, compared to the classic way of preparing ordinary ground coffee, to achieve emulsification of fatty substances contained in coffee to form the creamy texture of coffee, which forms the basis of the Italian style of espresso coffee, very popular around the world. using said inner tubes.

Other prior art documents are EP-A-469 079, EP-A512 148 and US-A-5 287 797.

Statement of the essence of the invention

The capsule basically consists of a slightly bevelled cone-shaped wrapper filled with ground coffee (or some other powdered raw material) and has a peripheral edge to which a protective foil is applied. Said foil, at the time of use of the capsule in a professional and / or home appliance for the preparation of espresso coffee and / or some other hot beverage, is placed oriented downwards, on the opposite side from that from which hot water under pressure is introduced into the capsule.

It is an object of the present invention to describe a molded plastic capsule intended for coffee or some other raw powder used for the preparation of beverages by a filtration method, which does not have the above-mentioned disadvantage and which enables the preparation of high quality beverages.

Brief description of draft images

This and other objects are achieved by the capsule having the characteristic properties stated in the claims, which will be described below which relates to a typical solution shown in the accompanying figures in which:

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Figure 1 is a three-dimensional view and a top view of an open capsule according to the invention;

- Figure 2 is a three-dimensional view of the capsule in bottom view;

- Figure 3 is a horizontal projection of the capsule of Figure 2;

- Figure 4 is a section of the subject capsule along the line AA of Figure 3.

Detailed description of the invention

The plastic capsule 10 according to the invention consists of a slightly bevelled conical shell made by thermoforming a polypropylene sheet intended for use in the food industry. The capsule shell 10 has a continuous upper peripheral edge 12 with outward expansion and a lower unexpanded edge 14. The upper edge 12 is designed to be coated with a protective film 13 of plastic material and / or aluminum. Foil of this type, as well as its function in packages with one dose of food product, is well known to persons with experience in this field, so it is not necessary to describe it in more detail.

According to the characteristic features of the present invention, the lower wall 16 of the capsule shell 10 is inserted within the lower edge 14; typically, as shown in detail in Figure 4, there are at least two steps between the edge 14 and the outer surface 18 of the lower wall 16. In this way, under the upper chamber 25, which is filled with powdered crude material, a lower chamber 30 is formed, whose function is to accept and conduct the filtered beverage, as explained in more detail below, and which is closed with a second foil 17. Other the foil is typically formed of a three-layer film combined with aluminum to ensure that the capsule is impermeable and hygienically clean. It is considered that it is not necessary to describe in detail the given foil 17 for the same reasons stated above in relation to the foil 13.

According to further features of the present invention, the lower wall 16 of the capsule shell 10 has, around the central core, an upwardly directed conical spike 20 and with a substantial cylindrical lower part 22, consisting of several cylindrical segments 31 separated from each other by segments 32,

50837 Β multiple openings 24 arranged in segments separated by radially spaced ribs 26 (see Figures 2 and 4).

The capsule in question can be used in an apparatus having piercing or drilling means, which form an opening in the upper foil 13 (not shown in the figures), for hot water pressure inlet, and a drain opening (also not shown) on the second foil 17. , just before the start of filtering the beverage through the openings 24. As a consequence of the combined effect of the pressurized hot water introduced from above into the capsule and the shape of the lower wall 16, in particular the radial ribs 26, the beverage fills the aforementioned lower chamber 30 with turbulent motion which encourages emulsification of fatty substances. In this way, for example, Italian-style cream coffee of excellent quality was obtained.

Moreover, the beverage is served through an opening formed in the second foil 17 directly into the set cup or glass, without its flow through the tubes inside the apparatus and thus without the risk of fermentation and spoilage of fatty substances and thus side effects.

although the above description relates to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the present invention may also be embodied in the other forms and variants included within the following claims.